3 Puppy & Dog Training Tips

This entry was posted on March 10, 2016 by Sophie Allport.

New puppies can be great fun but also they can be hard work, as the Sophie Allport family are well aware of. With five new puppies that have joined the Sophie Allport family over the past year, there has been plenty of chaos, chewed slippers and lots of entertainment. A great friend who runs Muddy Paws Dog Training has come up with some tips and suggestions.

Jumping upArriving home from a busy day to be greeted by your puppy, can be the most exciting and comforting thing. As soon as we walk through that door we just want to touch, cuddle and talk to our puppy and ask how their day has been? Now we all know our puppies can’t talk, but I’m sure I’m not the only one that talks to my dogs! However by doing this, it encourages our small bundles of fun, to get excited and before we know it they have jumped up all over our clothes. However remember our puppies don’t stay small forever - well unless you have a Chihuahua! By greeting them this way our puppies learn to jump up as they are getting the attention, even if sometimes we are yelling and pushing them off, as their jumping up has now become a problem. The hardest thing to do is to ignore them by standing still and not looking at them, and wait for all four paws to be on the ground. If we do this every time before we move off, talk to them or give them that well deserved cuddle this will teach them that fuss and attention comes only to them when they aren’t jumping up. Doing this method and being consistent, teaches the puppy that jumping up doesn’t give them the attention they want.

House trainingPuppies when they are young have small bladders, so accidents will happen. However there is no point telling them off!! You wouldn’t tell your child off for having an accident when you’re potty training them, so why your puppy? Yes it’s annoying but its also part of the package. To help with the early stages of toilet training once your puppy has woken up, had a drink, eaten or had a play, take them outside. This gives them an opportunity to relieve themselves. As soon as they have, give them lots of praise and/or a treat for toileting where they are allowed too. However when an accident does happen this can be our fault for missing the subtle clues that our puppy gives us. Or they can just get so carried away when their best play friend comes over and they just don’t want to miss any of the fun. If this does happen just pick them up or lead your puppy gently outside to allow them to have another opportunity to go again. Some puppies take longer to house train than others so just be patient and it will happen.

ChewingThis is normally due to their adult teeth coming through. Chewing can start as early as 8 weeks and last until 8 months of age. During this stage make sure there are lots of toys for them to chew. Remember, puppy’s struggle to understand the difference between your Jimmy Choos and an old slipper!! If it’s in their reach, they will think it’s theirs! Why not give them a large frozen carrot to chew on or a rope toy that has been put in stock flavoured water and frozen. The coldness on their gums will help relieve the pain of their teeth coming through.

Providing your puppy with a good variety of toys, exercise and mental stimulation can help to develop your dog into a sociable and happy member of the family. Think, ‘Nothing in Life is for Free’ so always ask for a sit, a down or a stand before giving them a treat or throwing that ball. You can teach your puppy to go through your legs or even do a bow. Why not get a sit and wait before putting their food bowl down. The more your puppy has to think and work something out, the more they have to use their brain which will make them tired. A tired puppy is a happy puppy!